The inside scoop on food in Los Angeles

3 Events: Chaya Brasserie, Taste of Abbot Kinney, Locanda del Lago

October 15, 2011 | 8:00
am

Celebrity Chef tour dinner: Chaya Brasserie has partnered with the James Beard Foundation to host the Celebrity Chef tour dinner on Thursday to raise money for the organization. Chaya executive chef Harutaka Kishi and the Forgione family, including Marc and Bryan Forgione, and their father, chef Larry Forgione, will prepare a five-course dinner that represents their individual culinary backgrounds. Chef Kishi will be preparing his signature hamachi mole and dessert. Additionally, beer and wine pairings will be served with each course. Tickets for this event are $175 per person and can be purchased online. 8741 Alden Drive, Los Angeles, (310) 859-8833, www.thechaya.com.

Taste of Abbot Kinney: Inside Out Community Arts is hosting its second annual Taste of Abbot Kinney in Venice on Oct. 23 with chef Joe Miller as event chair. Participating restaurants include Gjelina, Hal’s Restaurant & Bar, Joe’s Restaurant, Lilly’s French Café & Bar, Shima Sushi, Primitivo, Casa Linda, Lemonade and more. There are 400 tickets available for the event: 200 for VIP at $100 and 200 regular at $60. The VIP reception will be held earlier in the day with chef demos, a raffle, VIP gift bag and early passed appetizers. To purchase tickets, visit www.insideoutca.org. Proceeds will benefit the community center. 901 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, www.insideoutca.org.

Whole animal dinners: Locanda del Lago is launching a new dinner series called Morso della Bestia, or "Bite of the Beast," which begins Oct. 27. Executive chef Gianfranco Minuz has created a five-course family-style meal featuring a whole animal roast that is then incorporated into various dishes. The debut menu features Niman Ranch Colorado lamb with dishes such as crispy lamb belly with market greens and herbs and garlic-thyme roasted leg of lamb sliced tableside, with horseradish mashed potatoes. This exclusive dinner is $60 per person. Seating is limited; reservations are advised. 231 Arizona Ave., Santa Monica, (310) 451-3525, www.lagosantamonica.com.